Diogenes Of Sinope - Intellectuals & Academics, Timeline and Facts

Diogenes Childhood and Early Life

Diogenes was born on 412 BC in the Greek colony of Sinope on the south coast of the Black Sea. There is no information on his early life except that his father’s name was Hicesias who was a banker by profession. It appears that Diogenes was also engaged into the banking business helping his father. At one time, Diogenes and his father got involved in a scandal of adulteration or defacement of the currency inviting trouble for themselves. As a result, Diogenes was thrown out from the city. This aspect of the story is certified by the archaeological evidence as several defaced coins destroyed by a big chisel stamp were found at Sinope dated the middle of the 4th century BC, and other coins of the same time period bearing the name of Hicesias as the official who created them. The reason for this act is still not clear, although Sinope had been the witness of clashes between pro-Persian and pro-Greek factions in the 4^th century, and there may be some political motives behind the same. Another story regarding this act suggests that Diogenes went to the Oracle at Delphi to take its advice, and was asked that he should “deface the currency”, and Diogenes realized that the oracle meant that he should deface the political currency rather than the actual coins. He, then, journeyed to Athens making his goal for a life to challenge the already present customs and values.

In Athens

After coming to Athens, Diogenes motive became to metaphorically destroy the “coinage” of custom. Destroying the established customs and values became the main motive of his life. Instead of being worried about the real nature of evil, people simply depended on customary interpretations. This distinction between nature and custom remained a most liked theme of Greek philosophers in ancient times. Diogenes is said to have moved to Athens with a slave called ‘Manes’, who eventually left him. With an in-built characteristic humor, Diogenes abolished his misfortune by saying “If Manes can live without Diogenes, why not Diogenes without Manes?” Diogenes continued making joke of such immense dependency relations. He was charmed by the ascetic teachings of Antisthenes who was a pupil of Socrates. Also, in spite of the cruelty he experienced initially, Diogenes became the student of Antisthenes. The fact that the two ever actually met is unclear, but he instantly surpassed Antisthenes in terms of reputation as well as in life’s austerity. He believed his escape of earthly delights a contrast to and explanation on contemporary Athenian behaviors. This attitude was laid in a great abhor for what he saw as the folly, pretense, vanity, self-deception, and artificiality of much human conduct.

According to stories recited, there lies a glimpse of the logical regularity of his character. He adapted himself to the vicissitudes of weather by residing in a tub owned by the temple of Cybele. He broke down his only wooden bowl after looking at a peasant boy drinking from the hollow of his hands. It was also opposite to the believes of the Athenian customs to eat in the marketplace; however, still Diogenes would eat explaining when criticized that he felt hungry when he was in the marketplace. Another strange act that Diogenes indulged in was wandering in broad daylight carrying a lamp. When asked what he was doing, he used to answer, “I am just looking for an honest man”. He generally searched for a human being, but always ended up finding nothing but rascals and scoundrels. When Plato suggested the Socrates' definition of man as “featherless bipeds”, and received great praise for the same, Diogenes pulled a chicken and brought it into the Academy of Plato and said “Behold! I've brought you a man”. After this act of Diogenes, the definition was revised and “with broad flat nails” was added to the definition.  

In Corinth

Believing a story which seems to be originated with Menippus of Gadara, once Diogenes was on a voyage to Aegina and was grabbed by pirates. He was then sold for slavery to a Corinthian named “Xeniades” in Crete. When he was asked about his trade, Diogenes answered that he knew nothing about trade but that of governing men and also that he desired to be sold to a man who required a master. Thereafter, Diogenes resided in Corinth as a tutor of Xeniades' two sons for the rest of his life. He completely dedicated his life to preaching the doctrines of virtuous self-control. Also, some suggest that he even lectured a large number of people at the Isthmian Games.  

His Relationship With Alexander

In the Corinth itself, Diogenes met Alexander the Great. The accounts of Plutarch and Diogenes Laërtius depict that the two exchanged only a few words. One morning, Diogenes was resting in the sunlight when he was stimulated after meeting the popular philosopher, Alexander. When asked if he wanted any favor, Diogenes replied “Yes, stand out of my sunlight”. Alexander then announced, “If I were not Alexander, then I should wish to be Diogenes”. Also in another story, Alexander saw Diogenes looking at a pile of human bones with extreme concentration. Diogenes explained that “I am searching for the bones of your father but cannot distinguish them from those of a slave”.

Death

Diogenes died in 323 BC. There are a large number of accounts suggesting the death of Diogenes. He is said to variously hold his breathe or to have became sick after eating a raw octopus or having been bitten by an infected dog. When Diogenes was questioned how he desired to be buried, he directed to be dumped outside the city wall so that wild animals could enjoy feast on his body. When asked that if he minded the same, he replied “Not at all, as long as you provide me with a stick to chase the creatures away!” To this, the people were surprised and asked him that how could he use the stick when he lacked the awareness, he replied, “If I lack awareness, then why should I care what happens to me when I am dead?” Later, Diogenes made fun of people's excessive concern with the “proper” treatment of the dead. The Corinthians erected to his memory a pillar on which rested a dog made of Parian marble.